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Rebel Transmissions: Imperial Supercommandos

Okeydokey, the Rebel Transmissions are back again! And that’s all I got for a clever opener. You guys know I’m not good at these sometimes. But if you’re looking for a certain [fangirly] point of view, that’s what I aim to deliver! Now for some thoughts on Imperial Supercommandos.NOTE: Contains spoilers from Rebels episodes Steps Into Shadow, The Protector Of Concord Dawn, and Imperial Supercommandos

So first of all, I’ve noticed different places spell the title in different ways. I’m sticking with “Supercommandos” as one word because that’s just the way I’ve always spelled it. I might be spelling it wrong but if you’ve read this blog for any amount of time you know I do that a fair amount.
Anyway, you remember Fenn Rau? The Protector of Concord Dawn who tends to fire on people he shouldn’t and is generally not the nicest guy? I’ve been wondering for a while how he’s been doing as the mini-Alliance’s prisoner. Apparently, he’s been playing a Mando game that appears to be a blend of Battleship and Chess with Sabine. What strikes me instantly about all of this isn’t just that I’d really like to learn to play this game, but that Sabine is just casually hanging out with this guy. I know it’s been around a year or something since it happened, but I haven’t forgotten how angry she was with him when he nearly killed Hera. Though she ultimately chose against vengeance, I wasn’t sure she’d ever really be chummy with him or anything. But just goes to show ya how awesome this girl is. And it’s not like Rau’s been such a nice guy either lately. He seems convinced Sabine’s turned her back on her people and makes a point to mention it a lot and not in the nicest way. I wouldn’t call her a “traitor”, just… someone who moved away from her home… for reasons. But you know Mandos they take everything so seriously! Regardless, Sabine is simply hoping that maybe they can get Fenn Rau on their side. And as Zeb calls both Mandos to a briefing, perhaps they actually could. So the mini-Alliance’s lost communication with Concord Dawn and they’re thinkin’ the supercommandos are up to something. Hera sends Sabine, Fenn, Ezra, and Chopper on it. “And try not to wreck the Phantom II… we just got it.” *Cough* She’s looking at you Ez… XP Also it gives me some serious feels to know they named it the Phantom II… its legacy lives on! I’m guessing Sabine’s been busy or she surely would’ve painted it or something in it by now.
And so onward came the awkwardness as Ezra sat in the backseat with Fenn Rau and all of his stoic snobbyness. I pretty much was on the floor laughing the whole time because it was so beautifully awkward. Fenn just keeps on glaring and Ez has no idea how to respond. Thankfully, his interest in the torn-apart world of Concord Dawn is a welcome distraction for everyone in the all-too-quiet shuttle. Fenn explains that its shattered state is due to a lot a lot a lot of not-so-civil civil war amongst the Mandalorians. And then he throws Ezra a solid punch and gives Sabine a stunning. Eyup that’s Mandos for ya. When they work their supercommando magic it happens so fast you barely have time to process it before someone gets K.O.’d. I mean, seriously, how in the universe did he get those cuffs off?? Did he borrow a pen? Snatch the key? Chew them off? I wouldn’t put it past him on that last one. Either way this might be a problem. Apparently Chop was OK though ’cause it was thanks to him he got Ezra up (by grabbing his nose lol) and his and Sabine’s cuffs off. The three find themselves now on the surface of Concord Dawn. Sabine and Ezra were completely expecting a standoff with their prisoner, but he’s no longer interested in a fight. His entire base has been decimated, very nearly burned to the ground, not a soul in sight. And Fenn knows that this attack was delivered by other Mandos. He immediately throws the blame on Sabine, believing he could’ve prevented all of this had he not been imprisoned. She argues against that, as she’s truly sorry for what happened, and knows there must be more to all this. Poor Ez is utterly confused, which I can relate to, ’cause for all of my years of watching animated SW I still don’t get all of Mando culture either. And oh look there’s a probe droid! It’s always somethin’ isn’t it? Using some Forcewielding and blasterwielding, Ezra and Sabine make quick work of the probe, but they’re not interested in sticking around and waiting for the Imps to show up. Fenn is much more interested in staying, and maybe giving the Empire some dirt on the Rebs’ hiding spot. It’s nothing personal– no wait, it’s totally personal because Rau still completely considers Wren a traitor and the reason his men are dead. It’s about then the Imps show up, but not in Star Destroyers or TIEs, but in jetpacks. “…flying stormtroopers?!” Nope just a few of your friendly neighborhood IMPERIAL SUPERCOMMANDOS. Bro when you take a bunch of fierce, fight-ready blaster-slingin’ Mandalorians and put them in Imperial armor you just know you’re toast. So when Ezra makes the mistake of firing at their leader… ooooooh dang he’s dead. The Imp-Mandos quickly give chase. Sabine’s first instinct is to help, but Rau does things the Mandalore way and gladly accepts Ez’s sacrifice and makes a run for it. Yeah, again, I’m so glad Sabine was “raised right”. But Rau does decide to stick around and find out what those Imp-Mandos are up to…
So now Ezra and Chopper are at the mercy of Imp-Mando bossman Gar Saxon. Saxon is certain they’ve got their hands on a couple of Rebels, but Ezra has literally the best cover stories ever. I mean, wow, he’s really good at playing the role of an average everyday pirate-scavenger! Whether he just came up with this on the fly or if he practiced his acting back on the Ghost, it’s impressive any way you spin it. Yep bro still has all that street-savvy swag! But Gar don’t care he don’t buy none of it. Hmph your loss, Saxon, if you can’t appreciate his fantastic improv skills! He does appreciate some things though, like apparently some good ol’ fashioned droid blasting. Uh-oh.
While Ezra further talks his way out of trouble, Sabine’s still thinking up how they’re to go about rescuing her comrade. Rau knows well of Saxon’s doings. Dude wanted to rule Mandalore but didn’t have an honorable bone in his body so the Empire gave him a fancy title and armorsuit instead. Anddd once again Rau turns the conversation back on to Sabine’s so-called treachery. I’d be all “dude let it go already” but he just lost all his friends and fellow soldiers so I kinda have to cut him some slack. Rau wants some vengeance, Sabine just wants outta here, the only way they’re getting that is if they can muster up a little teamworkery magic. It really is super fascinating seeing Sabine interacting with a hardcore by-the-book Mando like Fenn Rau. Looking at how she shares some of the same core values of honor and loyalty, but also furthers those and other values in a way that Rau does not. Wait does that make sense? I think it does. I’m sorry I mighta lost my train of thought somewhere in there.
After a few bolts of laserfire come too close to Chopper, Ezra finally spills his guts. “OK my name’s Lando Calrissian…” XD XD When in doubt, Lando it out! But again… Saxon don’t buy none of this, and soundly kicks Ezra in the head. OMG WHO DOES THAT?? Upon threatening Chopper again, Ezra gives Saxon a half-truth involving The Protector. Now this he buys. Saxon sure would’ve liked to have killed Rau when he killed the rest of them, so he kinda sorta really needs Ezra to give him what he wants to know. BTW guys Gar Saxon is utterly terrifying. Between so callously discussing killing people and the way he uses brute force on our heroes, it’s just… yikes. Sometimes the scariest adversaries don’t wield red lightsabers… O.O Knowing that it was only because he was imprisoned by the Rebels that he wasn’t dead, Fenn finally calls a truce with young Wren. Hooray! All the teamworks!! And the teamwork begins as Sabine casually borrows a jetpack from one of Saxon’s men… yep ’bout time she got herself one of those! I like that it’s a smaller, more compact pack compared to the ones the Fetts and other Mandos use. Just perfect for her, really. All it needs is a splash of color 🙂 Anyway…
It’s a good thing they’d decided to teamwork things ’cause Ezra wasn’t doing so hot. After thrashing him around didn’t work, Saxon decided to take aim at Chopper for a change. Ezra was so clever, using the Force to divert the blasts like that! Unfotunately, Gar caught on pretty quickly as to why he was shooting like a stormtrooper. Which may’ve made the Rebs’ situation a lot worse. But all the same, Ez gets major points for protecting Chop like that. I know I’m stating the obvious, but I seriously love that the Ghost crew’s bond extends to even the grouchy metal family members 🙂 And just then, in rolled a smokescreen detonator… Sabine, Ezra, and Chopper are out, peace! They were so so close to getting out of this Mando jam… and then off went the Phantom II. Thank you, Fenn. Thank you. C’mon man, can’t you trust anyone these days?! And now the three stand alone against four armed Imperial Supercommandos. Gar Saxon recognizes Sabine pretty instantly, being they were both Viszla clan buddies (OK “buddies” is somewhat of a stretch. Try “acquaintances”). That is a good point if he hadn’t seen her in a while… and if she keeps repainting her armor… how did he actually recognize her? Oh wait well there was the whole thing with him being an Imperial and naturally knowing her name and Rebelling career from there. Sorry I’m dumb and forget things sometimes. Never mind. Saxon then mentions Sabine’s mother has been looking for her. He claims that her leaving the Imperial Academy basically dishonored the Wren family name. Sabine don’t buy an inch of that. OK so obviously this is kinda HUGE considering we’ve heard very little of her family before this. What really intrigues me about all of this is that Saxon claims Mrs. Wren is with the Empire now, since sometime after Sabine dropped out. I’d originally assumed that her folks never questioned the Empire and just put her in the academy ’cause that’s just what all Mando parents did. But this sounds like that wasn’t the case…? Intriguing. Aside from that, it’s just fascinating to know her mother’s alive at all. I mean that comment back on the pilot… “What happened to your real family?” “The Empire.” Easy enough answer, but there’s clearly more to it. Plus, how much of what Gar Saxon’s saying is true? I imagine that, unfortunately, there must be some truth in it, because Saxon doesn’t seem to be a big fan of dishonesty. Once again, SWR gives us a couple keys to their pasts, but never all at once. Gosh I hope I’m making sense here I’m so all-over-the-place today. So yeah, Sabine don’t got time for Saxon’s crud. The bossman makes a deal: either she swears allegiance and gives up Fenn or she dies. Well when you put it that way NO DEAL! Chopper transmits some nasty loud feedback through her helmet to knock the Imp-Mandos down, and Sabine grabs Ez and they jet on outta there! Ahh such a beautifully executed plan! And what commences is one of the greatestest chase scenes in all StarWarsdom! I’m a sucker for SW chase scenes, whether it’s the speeder pursuit through Coruscant in Episode II, the speederbike chase in Episode VI, or any of the others throughout the saga, I just love the thrills and excitement and the genius witty witticisms that often come with them! Here we are watching Sabine pursued by Imperial Supercommandos and all the while Ezra’s awkwardly hanging onto her trying to lightsaber blasterfire away as they dart through the rocky terrain of Concord Dawn. It’s all too beautiful for words. Which is probably why I’m writing this so poorly today. Love every moment! Together the three of them hold their own pretty well. Right up until they’re knocked down, anyway. It’s about then when the Phantom II makes an entrance. Fenn could’ve lightsped along his merry way, but he came back for them. Aww yay there’s that teamwork I was lookin’ for! Sabine was about to board when Saxon grabbed her. OK again the way he uses straight-up brute force is genuinely scary. Good thing this fierce little Wren knows how to handle the SupercommanDork. Hehehe I’m so stupidly proud of that zinger I just came up with 😛 She delivers a solid blow to his jetpack, which made me wonder, considering other such incidents, if it might detonate and do him in. Which further concerned me when he fired on Sabine’s. But clearly these jetpacks are built a little better than Boba Fett’s. Or else his was damaged more. IDK. Thank goodness Sabine’s got friends far more dependable than Mando gadgets as Ezra pulls her to safety. I get the feeling Gar Saxon’s not happy though… and that he might be a problem later. But right now let’s just rejoice in all the teamworkness! Fenn Rau’s got serious #respect for the bravery and loyalty young Wren showed to her non-Mandalorian comrades, and with that respect comes a real desire to join the mini-Alliance. Sabine’s “Welcome to the family” gave me such feels. Again, here’s a guy who was an outright jerk more times that we could count, but Sabine not only forgave him for past wrongdoings, but never gave up on him. Yes, Ezra, Mandalorians are crazy, but every now and again there’s one Mando who’s just crazy enough to do something truly crazy: the right thing.
So I hope I did better on this than I think I did. Sometimes it’s just so hard to write down every little thing I’m thinking, ’cause there’s just so much to think about when it comes to Star Wars! If I missed anything I’ll most definitely try and cover again another post. Thanks for reading 😀